Daily Devotions from The Word Of God… From the heart of Ed Algreen

Posts tagged ‘eternal’

TEXT: 48-49 …..God doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. ‘The heaven is my throne,’ says the Lord through his prophets, ‘and earth is my footstool. What kind of home could you build?’ asks the Lord. ‘Would I stay in it? 50 Didn’t I make both heaven and earth?’

OBSERVATION: Back in the day when Acts was written, and particularly during the period that today’s Scripture refers, there was a lot of emphasis placed on the Ark of the Covenant. Then people, like David came along, and with a sincere heart for God, he really wanted to build a super worship center where God might be found and worshiped. While this was admirable of David, God wanted to then, just as He wants to now, remind us that He is not contained in a box that can be carried around by mankind, nor in a very beautiful Cathedral, where you will only find Him while inside that Cathedral. In fact He takes us back to the basics in reminding us that He made heaven and earth, so we are encouraged to meet with Him any where, any time and any place. Let’s learn to worship Him in His holiness from grateful hearts, and not wait to be in a particular place where we may not even recognize the ‘Great I Am’.

APPLICATION:I would imagine that a first time visitor to church might become very confused, when they hear a testimony of God being in a Hospice room as their loved one died. Then they hear another believer speak of how real God’s presence was when they needed him while in the Operating Waiting Room desperately waiting to receive an update on their loved one. And while pondering all this, the Praise Team begins singing ‘He is Here, Hallelujah’. Friends, we hear stories of God being so real to people out in the fiercest storms, and we hear of God being so very near to a friend, or to us in the most quiet room. Some might wonder why then is it necessary to attend church to meet God? Not only does the Bible teach us to ‘assemble ourselves together with other believers’, but it also teaches that we allow ‘iron to sharpen iron’ – with an understanding that other believers encourage us, while we also encourage them. You might quickly respond that you have nothing to offer, or encourage anyone with, and I would totally believe you. However, if one little bit of Jesus might shine through you as you love on, and encourage others, then God has accomplished His work through you. Please try not to ‘box God in’. Not in your mind, as to limiting His capabilities; or in a certain place where He may be found, as He is here – hallelujah; or for certain people who is good enough, as He came for everyone who would come to Him and invite Him into their lives. In case you haven’t picked up on my drift yet, let me assure you that I serve an awesome God! He’s my Savior, Lord, soon coming King and Eternal Master! And the best news yet, is that He can be yours also! Please read over my Footnote for help in meeting my Lord. I’m convinced that He wants You in His eternal kingdom, if you would have Him be a part of your life today!

PRAYER:Precious Lord and eternal Father, thank You for loving me enough to sacrifice Your very own Son to open the doors of heaven to all who would believe and accept You as Lord. I am overjoyed that this ‘Gift’ is still available to those who have procrastinated for so long. Now Lord, please open the minds of those You have created, and instill within them the wisdom of knowing the Prince of Peace, the Everlasting Lord, and the King of all kings both now and forevermore. AMEN!

FOOTNOTE:There are two more pages on my blog that will provide you with additional information, one of them being ‘To Know Jesus’. If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please click on the above page, or speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Please allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to Nuggets From God’s Wordand read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Sebring, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you atBible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!

May I encourage you to get your spiritual ‘Nuggets’ to start your day off right? Pretty amazing that our awesome God would consider feeding even us with His Word! May I encourage you to read the whole devotional, and look for a blessing, friend!………

Today’s Bible Reference: Psalm 102:27–28Today’s Bible Text: But you are always the same; you will live forever. The children of your people will live in security. Their children’s children will thrive in your presence.”The Bible Translation:New Living Translation (NLT

My Take Away:I believe there are many things that we can reflect on from our past that we really liked, and that we wish was still around in lieu of the sometimes faulty things that we have available today to give, or refer to our kids. In fact, there were places that we once frequented that we can no longer refer to our kids, because they are no longer around. There are wise old folks – you know, like our grandparents and others, that we can no longer refer our descendants to, because they are no longer around. However, there were some stories told by grandparents who knew the Lord, that we have proven over our lifetimes, and as David reveals in this Psalm today, we can afford to share these with our kids and grandkids, because it is not only a sure thing, but God’s love will be available to those that would have Him, for as long as life here on earth continues. Friends, the beauty of this is that the stories passed on down to us are not just stories, but they are real experiences that took place during the lifetime of our ancestors. Similarly, there are stories we can pass down about the work of God in our lives – the work He is currently doing right in our lifetimes. The experiences that our kids and grandkids can experience are then reassured based on the stories of our experiences that we share with them! However friend, the stories that will be meaningful to them are the ones telling our our rich experiences with the Lord Jesus Christ, for those are very personal, and still very much available to our kids today. Do you know this Jesus that I am referring to? Can you share with your kids about the rich personal experiences you have encountered during your lifetime? We can enjoy the relationship with Him forever, if we have made the necessary commitment to be with God even after this life here on earth. Where do you stand friend? This is far more important that trying to store up a fat bank account for them to fight over, and this treasure of which I spoke, is everlasting, and it never fails!

Prayer:Father, I pray that the experiences our kids will discern from us and cherish during their lifetimes, would be the characteristics that they saw in us. The godly lives that we lived and the sincerity of living what we taught them to do. Please touch lives today, including mine, so that I may live the life that I claim in You. May others be drawn close to You because of Your character being lived out in me. You, oh Lord, are my all in all! Thank You for loving me and providing for my everlasting happiness! In Jesus precious name, AMEN!

Footnote:If you have been challenged to make a decision today after reading this devotional, please speak with a local Bible Teaching Pastor, or contact me at NuggetsFromGodsWord@outlook.com. Allow someone to pray with you and give you help and/or encouragement as you begin, or continue your walk with Jesus. Words underlined in my blog could indicate a link to a song that came to mind as I wrote the devotional. Feel free to click on the link and listen as you continue to read or pray. If this devotional was forwarded to you and you would like to see more, please go to www.nuggetsfromgodsword.org and read more, or you may freely to subscribe for a daily email conveniently containing each day’s devotional. If you are anywhere near the Highlands County, Florida area and do not have a church home, I would be thrilled to welcome you at Bible Fellowship Church, located at 3750 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872! Click the link to check out service times and/or other special activities. God is at work among us! Please consider coming to worship with us!